Bronx Kids Guide

The Bronx is burning hot...with great things to do with kids. It's overflowing with wonderful parks and gardens, including The Bronx Zoo and The New York Botanical Garden. But that's not all. Wave Hill offers family art projects or outdoor activities every weekend. Plus there's the Bronx Equestrian Center, Orchard Beach, City Island and the real Little Italy: Arthur Avenue. If you're interested in the arts scene, take a ride on the Bronx Culture Trolley, which departs from Hostos College and takes you to various borough hot spots, including the Bronx Museum of the Arts.

Latest news from the area

May 14 2012

New York Botanical Garden for NYC Kids: Planting, Harvesting and Other Hands-on Nature Fun

New York Botanical Garden for NYC Kids: Planting, Harvesting and Other Hands-on Nature Fun

We regularly post about the cool nature activities and annual exhibits like the Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden. But as a Bronx resident who frequently visits the garden with my family, I'm here to tell you that you can never say too much about this incredibly diverse 250-acre oasis in Bronx Park. There are so many wonderful attractions: the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden, where kids can work their green thumbs; the Everett Children's Adventure Garden, which hosts science and nature programs; the Forest, full of indigenous plants and trees, and a lovely waterfall; the indoor Enid A. Haupt Conservatory; plus a wealth of cultural events and seasonal displays. It's truly one of the best places to connect with nature in New York City.

This profile of the New York Botanical Garden is the final installment in our series of posts spotlighting kid-friendly NYC historic sites vying for Partners in Preservation grants. Read on to find out about everything the NYBG has to offer—including a preview of its new exhibit Monet's Garden, which opens this weekend—and learn how you can help support the garden and other important NYC destinations with the click of your mouse.

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May 10 2012

Math Camps and Summer Math Classes in New York CIty

Things to do with kids: Math Camps and Summer Math Classes in New York CIty

While there's always a big push for summer reading, kids' math skills don't get much of a workout while school's on break. Come September, many students find they've forgotten a lot of what they had learned and start out the academic year behind.

In order to make sure your kids' math knowledge doesn't melt away in the summer sun, our education blogger, Blythe, has rounded up New York City camps and classes where students can put two and two together—and hopefully do a lot more complicated equations. Our picks include competitive math programs, individualized instruction and remedial classes.

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May 3 2012

Farm-to-table: Hands-on Planting and Harvesting Summer Camps for NYC Kids

Things to do with kids: Farm-to-table: Hands-on Planting and Harvesting Summer Camps for NYC Kids

If your child loves digging in the dirt and messing around in the kitchen as much as mine does, then camps that offer planting, harvesting and cooking activities are a summer dream come true. Even for kids who are less, shall we say, dirt-inclined, these programs offer a wonderful opportunity to learn about the farm-to-table movement as they harvest fruits and vegetables right here in NYC. Here are five programs where city kids can get a literal taste of farm life.

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Apr 22 2012

Best New Museum Exhibits for NYC Kids Spring 2012: 6 Awesome Installations for Families

Things to do with kids: Best New Museum Exhibits for NYC Kids Spring 2012: 6 Awesome Installations for Families

We've already told you about the best children's theater shows and kids' concerts happening this spring. Now we turn our attention to the season's top new museum exhibits for kids.

While all of our winter exhibit picks are still on view this spring, including the New York Hall of Science's interactive Animation , the Children's Museum of the Art's gleeful Love from Mt. Pom Pom and Creatures of Light: Nature’s Bioluminescence at the American Museum of Natural History, there's a whole new crop of cool exhibitions. From a pair of nifty baseball retrospectives to an über-creative installation in a landmarked Bronx mansion to a hands-on pattern display at the Brooklyn Children's Museum, here are six super exhibits for New York City kids this spring.

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Apr 14 2012

Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in NYC

Things to do with kids: Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in NYC

There's no more delightful way to enjoy the onset of spring than seeing the beautiful cherry blossoms flowering all over New York City. I think everyone knows about the Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, but there are several other places where you can enjoy gorgeous cherry blossoms without the crowds.

In Japan, cherry blossom viewing is taken to almost religious heights. The blooming flowers are carefully watched, enjoyed and celebrated. Sakura Hanami parties are traditionally held throughout Japan to celebrate the season, and feature eating and drinking and music.

Here are the best places to see cherry blossoms in New York City this spring. You might also enjoying looking at our cherry blossom slideshow.

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Apr 4 2012

Celebrate National Poetry Month with NYC Kids

Things to do with kids: Celebrate National Poetry Month with NYC Kids

April is National Poetry Month (bet you didn't know that). Even if the last time you picked up a collection of adult poems was Sylvia Plath in college, chances are you read your kids rhyming stanzas by the likes of Dr. Seuss, Margaret Wise Brown or Shel Silverstein on a more regular basis. Little ones really respond to poetry; the rhymes help them learn to read, and older kids get into rap and slam poetry.

There are lots of special kid-friendly events going on in honor of National Poetry Month, including free poetry writing workshops, poetry slams and the annual Poem in Your Pocket day. But we've also got ways your family can celebrate the art of poetry year-round in New York City.

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Apr 1 2012

Spring Break 2012: Best Things to Do with NYC Kids During April Recess

Things to do with kids: Spring Break 2012: Best Things to Do with NYC Kids During April Recess

It's almost here! From Friday, April 6 through Sunday, April 15, New York City public school students will be on spring break. You know what that means: Time to start planning memorable and enriching adventures for the whole family (unless of course you're sending the kids to a spring break camp).

If you're thinking of heading out of town for a last-minute vacation, you can find lots of great family destinations on our brand-spanking-new Travel Site. But if a staycation is what you're after, you'll find there's plenty to keep you busy right here in NYC. The American Museum of Natural History, the New York Hall of Science and the Brooklyn Children's Museum all have new interactive exhibits for kids, the New York International Auto Show rolls into town and many popular family spots are presenting special programming during spring break. Plus, the Urban Park Rangers are hosting a bunch of free nature activities in our lovely city parks and local YMCAs are offerings free swimming lessons as part of Splash Week.

That's just a bit of all the fun going on. Read on for our favorite free or affordable activities going on during spring break in New York City.

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Mar 25 2012

Little League Baseball, Softball and T-Ball for New York City Kids 2012

Things to do with kids: Little League Baseball, Softball and T-Ball for New York City Kids 2012

The Yankees and the Mets aren’t the only ones stepping up to the plate this spring. Thousands of kids across the city will be eagerly dusting off their cleats in anticipation of Little League’s opening day on Saturday, March 31 (although some teams kick off in April).

Joining a Little League team (or any other youth baseball organization) is great fun for the entire family. Parent participation isn't just encouraged, it’s mandatory. Moms and dads volunteer to help manage the leagues, coach the teams, run the concession stands and maintain the grounds. Since it's nonprofit, the registration fees are relatively affordable. Most cost under $200 for the entire season, and that includes those nifty uniforms. If that's still out of your range, some leagues offer financial assistance.

Because of high enrollment, many teams have pretty strict geographic boundaries, so kids need to register based on their home address and proof is required. With opening day coming up, many teams are full, but some are still accepting late registration and most offer wait lists—and unlike other wait lists in this town, I hear that these actually move.

Find out how to join a T-Ball, baseball or softball team in New York City this spring. If your kids would prefer to cheer from the sidelines than get in the game, we've got the scoop on some great Little League opening day bashes, too.

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